Braiding machine



March 16, 1954 MAROGG 2,672,071

BRAIDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21, 1950 4 l3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

F/bhard Naragg March 16, 1954 R MAROGG 2,672,071

BRAIDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 16, 1954 MARQGG 2,672,071

' BRAIDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FIG. 4 fl/c/m a Namgg BY 4770/P/VZY March 16, 1954 MAROGG 2,672,071

BRAIDING MACHINE v Filed Nov. 21, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Ak/wrd/Yaragg JTTOAIVEY March 16, 1954 R. MAROGG BRAIDING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 21, 1950 INVENTOR.

March 16, 1954 R. MAROGG BRAIDING MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 21, 1950 INVENTOR. fl/thard/farogg grra wsy March 16, 1954 R, MAROGG 2,672,071

BRAIDING MACHINE I Filed Nov. 21, 1950 I 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

Afcfmxvfiomgg BY March 16, 1954 R MARQGG 2,672,071

BRAIDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21, 1950 7 l3 Sheets-Sheet 8 Q Q Q Q a Q QK =5 N Q R LE4 I Q l ff INVENTOR.

Akbard/faragg March 16, 1954 MAROGG 2,672,071

BRAIDING MACHINE I Filed NOV. 21, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 l N V EN TOR. Erhard/fancy;

ATTOFA/[Y March 16, 1954 R. MAROGG BRAIDING MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Nov. 21, 1950 INVENTOR. Pic/70rd flaragg R. MAROGG 2,672,071

BRAIDING MACHINE March 16, 1954 Filed Nov. 21, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 I N V EN TOR. Mc/mxd/Varagg JTTOPA/EY March 16, 1954 R, MARQGG 2,672,071

BRAIDING MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet ,12

Filed Nov, 21, 1950 D HS'A'I'TUENE March 16, 1954 R. MAROGG BRAIDING MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed NOV. 21 1950 ZN VENTUE/ [87515 El? HAEUE'E, BY

1725 A TTUENEY machine.

Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED STA ES PATENT OFFICE BRAIDING MACHINE RichardMaroggg Hastings on Hudson, N. Y. Application November 21, 1950, Serial No. 196,869

Claims. (Cl. 87 46) My invention relates to machines for braiding together strands of metal or other material.

One of the objects of my invention is to pro vide a braiding machinein which the rotating parts are substantially balanced at all times as distinguished from thosemachines in which parts,

sometimes of substantial weight, move towards and away from the axis of rotation. Another object is to provide a machine which may be operated at comparatively high speed without vibration andnoise. Another object is to provide a machine in which friction losses are very low and which may, therefore, be operated .by means of a comparativelysmall motor. .Another object is to provide a machine in which the tension on the strands which are being braided .to-

gether is maintained substantially constant at all times so that a uniformlybraided product is produced and it is possible to braid extremely tenuous strands without danger of breaking. Another object is to provide a braiding. machine on which the strands may beflcarried on comparatively large diameter spools so that stoppages of the machine in order to replenish the strand supply are very substantially reduced. Another object is to provide a braiding machine which can be adapted to braid at any anglesand with or without a core, so that either tubes may be braided or a sheathing may be braided in place. A further object is to provide a braiding machine in which there is never any slack in the strands as is the case with the Maypole type of I accomplish these objects by means of the novel elements and the combinations and arrangements thereof described below .andillustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a fragmentaryplan view of my machine; 1

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section through the machine with certain-portions broken away and certain portions omitted for clarity;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view withportions omitted showing a modification; I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation view of the modified device-shownin Fig. 3; s

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 3 showing another modification;

6 is a fragmentary elevation View, of the modification shown in plan in Fig. 5; Y

Fig. '7 is an enlarged section taken in the plane 'l-'lofFig.5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged planview ofadetail. partially in section;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevationwiew of the detail shownin Fig.8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged side elevation view of a "spool with a holder therfor and illustrating the mechanism which maintains the tension uniform on the strands running fromthe spools;

Fig. 11 is a right hand side view of the device shown in Fig. 10 with portions broken away and portions in section showing the construction thereof;

Fig. 12 is a top .plan view of a spool and'the tensionmechanism drawn to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of one of the bases on which the spools on the inner carrier are mounted as seen through the plane [3-43 in Fig. 14; Fig. 14 is a left hand side view of the device shown in Fig. 13; I Fig. 15 is a right hand side view of the device shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a front elevation view of the device shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a View similar to Fig. 14 showing the inner gates open;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing the outer gates open;

Fig. 19 is a top plan view similar tolFig. 13 showing a modified type of gate;

Fig. 20 is a left hand side view of the device jshownin Fig. 19and is similar to Fig. '14;

Fig. 21 is a right hand side view of the device shown in Fig. 19 and is similar to Fig. 15; 1 Fig. 22 is a section of Fig. .20 in the plane 22- 22 with ,portions broken away to show details of construction; Fig. 23 is a front elevation view similar toFig. '20. but showingthe inner gates open;

Fig.24 is a section of Fig. 22 in the plane 2l- 24 showing the inner gates closed and the outer gates open;

Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cam tracks which have been projected radially outwardly from Fig- 1, and which illustrates the approximate relative positions of the high and low portions thereof in order to efiecta proper timing, of the movements of various elements;

.to the axis thereof;

Fig.29 ifs-a front View, partially in section and .partially in 'elevation, of the parts shown .in

- Fig. 30 is a fragmentary transverse section'of from a source of power (not shown).

the spool shown in Figs. 28 and 29, drawn to an enlarged scale and showing the tension regulating means;

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary enlarged section of a detail of the tension regulating means; and

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary section of Fig. 29 in the plane 32-32.

Referring to the drawings and first to Fig. 2, my device comprises a hollow, vertically-disposed, stationary shaft I which is surrounded by an inner tubular shaft 2 and an outer tubular shaft 3. Secured to the inner shaft 2 near the bottom thereof is a driven gear 4 and secured to the outer tubular shaft 3 near the bottom thereof is a driven gear 5. The gears 4 and 5 are in mesh with the driving pinion 6 mounted on shaft 6 to which is secured the gear 1. The gear 1 is driven by the pinion 1' on the shaft 8 which is driven Keyed t the outer, tubular shaft 3 and mounted on the ball bearings 9 is a circular table or spool carrier I0 which rotates counter-clockwise. Keyed to the inner, tubular shaft 2 is another circular table or spool carrier I I which is driven in a clockwise direction; it being apparent that the gears 4 and are rotated in opposite directions by means of the pinion 6. Fixedly secured to the stationary shaft I at the top thereof is a third table I2 which carries a cam track I3 which will be described below.

Referring now to both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, there are mounted on the carrier II, which will be referred to hereafter as the inner carrier, a plurality of equi-circumferentially spaced, strandcarrying spools I4, as shown in Fig. 1. As illustrated, the inner carrier is provided with twelve spools but, within practical limits, any even number of spools may be employed. Mounted on depending legs I5 (see Fig. 2) which are secured to the bottom of the outer carrier I0 is an equal number of equi-circumferentially spaced, strand-carrying spools I6. The strands I1 which run from the spools I4 extend directly to the braiding zone I8. The strands l9 running from the spools I6 extend upwardly through openings 20 in the outer carrier I0 and over pulleys 2| which are secured by means of brackets 22 on the bearing supports 23 secured to the top of the outer carrier II} around the outer edge thereof.

.By referrin particularly to Figs. 8 and 9, it will be noted that the bearings on the top of the bearing supports 23 comprise an outer housing 24 in which the spindle 25 is secured by means of the snap ring 26 so that it may oscillate. Secured to the spindle 25 and extending therethrough coaxially therewith, is a tube 21. The strands l9 run from the pulleys 2| into and through the tubes 21 and thence to the braiding zone l8.

In order to braid the strands I1, which run from the spools on the inner carrier, with the strands I9 which run from the spools on the outer carrier, it is necessary to provide some means whereby the strands I9 may alternately pass over and under the strands I1. This involves first, some means whereby the strands I9 are elevated to a height so that they may pass over the spools I4, and thereafter lowered to a position where they may pass beneath the spools I4, all in properly timed relation to the relative rotative movements of the carriers; and, second, some means whereby passageways are provided for the strands I9 through the supports which carry the spools I4. The first mentioned means involves mechanism for oscillating the tubes 21 from the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 2

to the position shown in dotted outlines in this figure. In other words some mechanism must be provided for oscillating the tubes 21 about the axes of the spindles and, in passing it may be pointed out that, in order to prevent the strands from becoming slack during the oscillating movements of the tubes 21, the axes of the spindles 25 cannot intersect the axis 28 about which the carriers rotate because the braiding point or zone is laterally offset from the axis 28, as is best shown in Fig. 8. In other words, the axes 29 of the spindles 25 should be approximately tangent to a vertical cylinder, such as shown in dotted outline at I 8 in Fig. 8, which defines the braiding zone.

One means of oscillating the tubes 21 about the axes of the spindles 25 is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Here, a rocker arm 30 which actuates two adjacent tubes is pivotally mounted to oscillate up and down on the axis of a boss 3| secured to the outer carrier ID. The extremities of the arm 30 are connected to the adjacent tubes 21 by links 32 having ball joints 33' at the extremities thereof which connect the links, respectively, to the tubes 21 and the arm 38. A cam follower 34 is pivotally mounted at one end of the arm 30 and rides in a slot 35 in the cylindrical cam plate 35. Thus, when one of the tubes 21 is in its highest position so that the strand I9 running therefrom may pass over one of the spools I4, the strand I9 running from the other tube 21 is in its lowest position so that it may pass under an adjacent spool I4.

In Fig. 2, I have shown a slightly difierent mechanism for oscillating the tubes 21 in that each tube is connected to a crank 31 by a link 38 and ball and socket joints 3-9. A cam follower 40 mounted on the end of the crank 31 runs in a cam slot 4| in the cylindrical cam plate 42 and oscillates the crank 31 about the bearing 23 between the position shown in solid outline in Fig. 2 and the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2. Thus, the tube 21 and the strand it are moved from the positions shown in solid outlines in Fig. 2 to the positions shown in dotted outlines.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, I have shown a further modification of the means for oscillating the tubes 21 which includes a means for relieving the tubes 21 of bending stress due to tension on the strands I9. Thus, a rod 44 is welded or otherwise secured to each of the tubes 21 at the free end thereof and extends outwardly therefrom with its axis approximately tangent to the cylindrical braiding zone. Mounted on each of the rods M is a conical roller thrust bearing 45 which is adapted to run on the lower side of a track 46. Adjacent the conical or thrust bearing as there is mounted on the rod 44, a cylindrical roller bearing 41 which is adapted to run on the top or upper side of a track 48. By reference to Fig. 7, it will be apparent that the cooperation of thebearing 41 with the track 43 will prevent a downward movement of the associated tube :31 while the cooperation of the thrust bearing with the track 46 will prevent upward and also inward movement of the tubes 21. The tracks 46 and 48 are secured together at spaced intervals by means of the tie plates 49 and together form a cam slot 59 which controls the oscillating movements of the tubes 21.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 19, 20,21, 22, 23 and 24, in connection with Figs. 2, l0 and 11, it will be apparent from Figs. 2, 10 and 11, that each of the spools I4 is supported on a base shafts nova-om plate- 51 which is provided at each side or the hottomthereciwith -a depending rectangular her 52 which may -oe holted, *welded or otherwisessecured "thereto. The 52, on -the-outersides thereof, are provided with-'a pair ofispaeedlugs end'on theinside -thereoi withapair cit-spaced h1g5 e lugs cooperate with 55 and the lugs fi l cooperate with gatesdifi to .support the bases 51 of the spool supports. "fire gates *55 are mounted in hearings :in side 'bars 58, which are bolted -or otherwise ssecured =by means -(not showm to theiiaialeaoricarrier :11!

as --shown in Fig. 2, and the gates 56 are "also mounted in hearings 59in thes-idezbars 58. The shafts 60 and on which outside gateslifi are mounted protect outwardly :beyond one inf 'ithe bars 58, ashest shown ifiand'rzz, while the shafts 2 and $3 ion 1 which the inner games are mounted project outwardly beyond the opposite side bar 58. Secured to the "projecting end-of the shaft $1 is anarm $64 and 1110111111611 on the protecting end .oftithe shaft-ml is ."an arm 55. Adjacent its freeend, arm65 fiSi'iIlIO vided with-a rectangularzslot 66. Secured'tothe free end of :the armiiidiisazpinm which extends through a block =58 which is adapted "to slide Ihe S101JJ5iaflfi"w1fidh has 'a running hi: :on the pin 6']. The .pin it! zprojects somewhat :beyond the .arm $5 and has :a hal'l nr roller bearing ":69

mounted thereon "which isra-dapted "to run in a cam slot -u'rlzdoh will .:be later described. When the anus G1 and 65 are in the positimisshown. in

Figs. ilo'and .23, the-router gates are closed endthus form supports for-the-hasesiii on which thetLin-nerispool-carriersareimounted. mov- 'ing the bearing isnpwarhly the gates :55 may be opened.

Secured i0 the projecting portion of the shaft t! (see 19-22) .is ran arm at, and secured to theprojecting rend of meanness .ismnarm '11 which carriestatits free end .a pin :12, similar to thepin 61, which extends through :the block 13 adapted to 'ride in the slot FM in arm 110. and 'is'provided at its free endwith a ball LOTT-T0113! bearing 75., similar to the hearing 69, -which 'is adapted to run in a camrslot, which-will bedater .described, to open and close the inner gates. Thus, when theerms 1'0 and H are in thetpositions shown in Figs. .21 and 2. 1, the .mnerz-gates 55 are closed and also form supports for the i bases 5| of the inner spool carriers.

clined to the axis of rotation 18 at substantially the sameangleasthe strands 19 when .in their lowermost positions, and that theories of the pins 6?! and 12 on which the 'bearings fifi and 75, respectively, :are mounted, are parallel :to these Therefore, '1 the cam tracks or slots which guide the bearings 69 and 15 must have cam guiding surfiaces which are generated :byklines move parellel-to-the axesaof "the bearings 69 and 15.

Secured .to-brackets 1 6 (see are mounted on the carrier to, is aplate H (see also Fig. 1) the oppositesides of which'are'inverted irnsto-conical surfaces, :and said plate is provided with aslot in which the roller '69 rides. 'itfhissslntiszrepresented idiazgremmatidaliy 18 the or surface of the 575101} and :not

both.

Mounted on the .rstationary :table "42 is a .second inverted haste-conical plate 1:3 having .a slot 19' therein a-isee Fig. 22b inwhichthe roller 15 irides. 'fifihisislot'isdiagrammatically represented ihy the line 19;in.;1 !ig..25, and is slightly wider than the diametenof .themoller T5.

nsriliustrated in Fig. 2,:it will he noted that the strand I9 is about in its lowermost position :and the outer gates 55 are :open. :Bearing in thatiheraxis of theroller 69fandalso the mx-isof the roiier .15 are each located approximately in a "vertical, radialpianepassing through the center'of athe spools 1114, :or their supports, it will hexapparentihatgsinee the outer gatesmust he openedto pass the strands Id, the inner gates Imust he "closed in order :to support the rspools. hence, all "the rollers 39 must be at the "high ipoints'of theirl -travel and all therollers Li'must also. he the high "points; of their travel in. order "to 'maintain, :respeotively, the .outer gates open and "the inner gates closed. As soon as the strands'pass the outer gates, the outer. gates must :close and the inner-gates must open; and, as :soon :as the strands iclear the inner gates, the

. outer gates must again open. :By reference to Fig.125;and hearing in mind thatsthe carrier for the spools Mi is rotafing i-n :a' clockwise direction, "the'relative angular .c'dispositionof .the high and low spots :in the cam tracks .18 and v F9 must ice approximately as shown in Fi-g. 25.

Instead of having :the gates vertical when in theclosed' position, vas shown in Figs. 19-24;, the

:machinemay bespeeded up to an appreciable degreehy'nsingtthezpreferred'typeiof gates shown in Figs. $13-$18 because less 'rmoyements of the gates are requiredzin ?0I'.dEI"t'0 pass the strands 119. Since the *spcolisupports, as shown in Figs. 13110 18,:inclusive, may belidentica'l with the supports shownin Figs. 19110 24, inclusive, except for the specific shape of thegates "and the shape of the bars:.depending from "the base plates 5| of the supports :for spools *H, the same numbers will Licensed in the 'ffd'llowing description as were used above where thexparts are: identical. Thus, 'onr'eaoh' side ofithe'ebase plates 5| of the spool supports are depending, inverted, .v -shaped bars MWhiCh'EIB QIIRlDEOHS to .Tthetbars 52 shown in :ffigs. 19 .24, inclusive; At their outer eedges, the bars ifll are provided with spaced, downwardlyinclined lugs -81 which cooperate with the outer :ga-tes 82, :and at their inner edges "with spaced, downwardly-inclined lugs s83 which cooperate "the inner gates '84. The gates 82 are 'mmmtedron'shafts ifl andiil whichhave hearings-'53 in the-loars tiii, which may be identical with the :iJa'rs 58 described above, and which "are bolted or otherwise secured :by means (not "to table nrzcarrier isl as shown in 35"?5138 mam follower m illustratedinl 'igs."19 23,

iinclmive. ifiheo slmits 8-2xand $3 on which the inner gates 84 are mounted project through the other side bar 58, as best shown in Fig. 13. Mounted on the projecting portion of the shaft 62 is an arm 18 and mounted on the projecting portion of the shaft 53 is an arm II carrying at its free end a pin 12 which passes through a slot III in the arm 18 and which carries at itsfree end a cam follower 15, in the form of a ball or roller bearing, which is adapted to ride in the slot in cam plate I3.

It will be apparent from Figs. 14 and 18, that when the arms 64 and 65 are in their lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 14, the outer gates 82 will be closed and form supports for the base of the spool carriers and, when the arms 64 and 65 are moved into their uppermost position, the gates 82 will be opened, as shown in Fig. 18. Similarly when the arms I8 and II are in their uppermost position, as shown in Figs. and 18, the inner gates 84 will be closed and also form supports for the bases 5I of the spool carriers. When the arms 18. and H are in their lowermost position, the inner gates 84 will be open, as shown in Fig. 17. Thus, when the cam follower 69 is down, the outer gates will be closed but when the cam follower I5 is down, the inner gates will be open; and, when the cam follower 89 is up, the outer gates willbe open but, when the cam follower I5 is up, the inner gates will be closed.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that, in order to support the spool carriers on the inner table either the gates 82 or 84 must. be closed, but either set of gates may be open while the other set is closed. In order to pass a strand I9 beneath the spools I4 the outer gates must beopen until the strand passes 'therethrough, whereupon the outer .gates must close and the inner gates open until the strand passes through the inner gates, whereupon the inner gates must close and the outer gates must again open to pass the strands out so that they may move upwardly and over the spools I I.

In order to effect a uniform braiding, a uniform tension must be maintained at all times both on the strands I! and I9. Since the braiding progresses at a uniform rate and the strands are withdrawn from the spools l4 and I6 at a uniform rate, it will be apparent that, as the quantity of the strands on the spools diminishes, the spools must rotate at a gradually increasing rate of speed. It will also be apparent that the turning moment exerted on a spool by the uniform tension on the strand will be greatest when the spool is substantially filled and least when the spool is substantially empty because the strand,

as it is drawn off the spool, is tangent to the strand body on the spool and the distance between the axis of the spool, measured in a direction normal to the strand, decreases as the quantity of strand material on the spool decreases. For this reason a uniform braking pressure cannot be maintained on the spools and, at the same time, maintain a uniform tension on the strands. I have therefore provided a controlled braking means for each spool in which the braking effect gradually diminishes as the supply of strand material on the spool diminishes. Referring now particularly to Fig. 2 for th assembly and Figs. 10, 11 and 12 for the details, the spools I4 and I8 are mounted on spindles 85 which in turn are mounted in the plates 86 at each side of .the spool. Adjacent .one .end,-:the

spindles. 85 are reduced in diameter to form a circumferential groove therein, "as best shown at 81in Figs. 10 and 12,- and a retaining hook 88,

which is pivotally mounted on one of the plates,

as shown at 89, engages the slot formed by the reduced portion 81 of the spool spindle. A flat spring (see Fig. 10) engages the bottom of the hook 88 and holds. it in engagement with the spindle. To remove a spindle or spool it is merely necessary to swing the hook 89 about its pivotal connection in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10, which will compress the spring 98 and allow the spindle and spool to be removed.

In order to provide a variable braking effect on the spools I provide a pair of brake blocks 9|,

'one on each side of the spool, and which bear a piston-like head 99 (see Fig. 11) which is slidably mounted in the cylindrical shell I88. Pivotally secured by a pin II to the other set of arms 94 and carrying the brake block on the other side of the spool, and at the ends thereof remote from the associated brake block, is a similar element I82 having an internally threaded stem I83 which projects into the shell I88. An adjusting nut I84 having a piston-like head adapted to slide in the shell I88 cooperates with the' threaded stem I03. Within the shell I88 and compressed between the piston-like portion 99 of element 98 and the piston-like head of the nut I84 is a helical spring I85. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the action of the spring I85 tends to force the brake blocks 9| against the flanges 92 of the spool and that the pressure of the brake blocks against the spool :flanges may be adjusted by turning the nut I88 to vary the compression on spring I85.

In order to facilitate this, an opening I85 (see Fig. 12)

is provided in the shell I88 through which a pin neeted together by a link I81 having a depending portion I88 which is pivotally connected to the end of the lever I89 by means of the pin I I 8; the lever, in turn, being pivotally connected by a pin III to the support H2. The lever I89 extends underneath the spool I4 and is provided at its free end, somewhat beyond the spool, with a cross member II3 which bears on the strand I! or I9 as the case may be.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that, as illustrated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the spool is substantially full and the strands being drawn therefrom is comparatively remote from the axis of the spindle on which the spool is mounted. As the quantityof wire 'or other material on the spool is drawn therefrom, the strand gradually approaches the axis of the spool and thus by its co-action with the cross member H3 raises the front end of the lever I89 about its pivotal connection III and lowers the rear end of the lever I89, thereby increasing the tension on the springs I88: As the tension of. the springs sion'spring I85 decreases and, by adjusting the radial movemen Qt the. sii tettiqgittx. og eeite tehe thefie tetiethetee 1Q smite i9 5 iv W s'eclemtit theta- 35: i the. Al 9? the 7 .5 the axis n th te i l: motexnm. theire t et a @h e tziee e thef th e eq t atee uiet y tube on. nes de the. axis s' Memes; leiallow VH2 w tee. at t ha t 0,5! the e eted ui k xtq tube. 'rhere qt the meehme it eerteeflst tab 15 Let the meet that q imm ne, h e 19-; ancgd ..e.t,=t 11tin.1es. meye eepts 9t th b e e 0? re? Itwill else be clear-that! timed, teletie i t the. etea q 91? the etten 1-! t i tion tgt under the spool carriers on t table,

' Erem t e toteeeihe; he ehp if et th 2a enly very e ht mo emehte of the-bets. w are QQQQQSEEY to. mes th ettendt .1 J t t a e99 at the QE EQ: nae. pee etl each Pe Q the hers they; are'eui shnpushee unwetdly mm the leas .v 2 after the gaiteedegelza te; theggrggegglg he be fonqdtheanelzt el 97 b H! ar p l fid L Yt-Qr arran ed merelxte elee theeeter g e the w r he. W wee ere elwe e to th held .msiti h o the innet ta e.v m9 i In order to maintain a uhifq n tension 9;; the M y flqggugg m stmndshuwhieh tram the qls Z13 tQt gate an the, i gnen, bl aidmg po nt; th tollq inemechahi m ishnrqi g m t so vided reference being hadpart qular y .tQ Ri s whieh i iihietreteictmy grgterred meal i 28:31, inclusiv Ahrake ,shoe 2.1.5.. which h ar-5. mm; t sQ Qlg r; the w against the wire on spool 243 is mounted on shafiz t t tg t9 {rpm the g 2 I46 whichiis rgtatablyfmounted in afiged bearing en se't reim 211 having a slopin cam f ce 21:: (see. Fig. 23); blqck whi w I and an arm 219, which is cemented to, the brake q g hg L 5p m shoe carrying means, provided with a ball "or ably t g in m 10 :95 roller; .220 which hears against the inclined cam fiumilfi ally speced gface 2 H1 ofthebearing: H.

' Laosely mounted on the shaft, 216 is a fiber or leather washer 2.2!, a gear, 222 and a helical spring" 223 which is cqmpressedbetween the gear 222 and a, thumb screw .2241 threaded on shaft zl'fi. The brake shoe 2 li'whieh' bears against the wire on the spdol at all times is yieldingly" held in cone. taetjthenewithby means (if the'tension'spring 225 (see Fig. 30); The gear 222'meshes'with a-gar 226 mounted on the'sp'o'ol shaft and which'is con.- nectdtothe fla'nge'of the spdoI by means of "the I pin 22'! '(see' Big". 29). "Thus; as the'spool '2l3 is e tlir efd bythe Wire drawn therefrom, the gear! turns with thefspdol' and; in turnfrotates-ge'ar'2'22 which exerts a, braking fiction on the 811061 due to the prees'gre "bf-"spring 2'? 'whichTdrces' the gear. 222'againsfiwfishr'fil." v

As the quantity of wire on the spool diminishes,"the tail; or 'rbllex :20 moves ddwn hemelin'ed' cam' face 21 "of the" hea,' 1 ing"21' thus irequ'eihg'the 'c'bfil'pfsjsic'in oh sptin'g223 which fljedtie''s the braking 'presstire o'h'g'ea 22 2"a ridsp0o1 w 213: megs; tne uantit efwi e onthe spobl di ininliehee, a'fid th"'distajne' between the-axis 6f iilii'siaool and'th 'pdint 'of 'talri'g'hc'yh'f the streind "lT'withthehylinder of wit-e 'on' the Spool dimifiishes, "the reduced .hrakingeifect compem va sates "for' Ithj reduction ,in" the turning moment exerted on theispeol by the strandL-l and'maintents .the .ten. n.;ther nn e hst latel rr m ,ee h

rier and from which it runs to the braiding point. The pulley 229 moves back and forth along guide 228.

' From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a braiding machine having the spool carriers and holders of the type shown in Figs. 26-31, inclusive, on the inner'table, may b run at comparatively high speed and practically noiselessly because of the very slight movements of the bars 2 which are required to clear the passag for the strands l9 from the spools on the outer table.

In order positively to maintain the strands l9 from the outer spool out of contact with the spools 213 on the inner table when said strands are passing over the inner spools, as shown at I9 in Fig. 27, a guiding disk 232 for the strands I9 is mounted to rotate freely on the elevated end of the spool shaft.

While I have neither illustrated nor described the conventional capstan which draws the braided material upwardly from the braiding zone, because it is no part of my invention, it is to be understood that such a capstan, or equivalent means is employed and is driven through means (not shown) by the chain 200, the

sprocket 2M on shaft 6, and the sprocket 202 v on shaft 203 (see Fig. 2).

While I have described my invention in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the words which I have used are Words of description rather than of limitation and that changes within the purview of the appendedclaims may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a braiding machine, the combination.

With a rotatable table, of a plurality of spools circumferentially-spaced about the axis of rota-.

other pair is closed and so constructed and ar-,

ranged as to provide at timed intervals a passageway through said gates under the spools supported thereon, and means for guiding a plurality of strands alternately over and under a predetermined number of said spools to a braiding zone for braiding with the strands fromsaid spools.

2. In a braiding machine of the character described comprising inner and outer rotatable.

tables each carrying a plurality of circumferentially-spaced spools adapted to carry strandsof wire to be braided together at a braiding point above and substantially coaxial with said tables, and including means for rotating said tables in opposite directions, and means for guiding the strands from the spools on said outer table to said braiding point through zones both above and below the spools on said inner table; mean sup porting and securing each of the spools on said inner table to said inner table and comprising a base having a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced openings therein; bars obliquely disposed to said base slidably fitted in said openings and supporting said base on and in vertically spaced relation to said inner table to allow strands from the spools on the outer table to pass therebetween; means cooperating with said bars for reciprocating them out of and into said openings to provide clearance between said base and said table for the passage of the last mentioned strands; and mean cooperating with said barreciprocating means for actuating the same in sequence in timed relation to the passages of said strands from the spools on said outer table under the spools on said inner table.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 in which said bars are provided with rack teeth thereon and said reciprocating means comprise gears having teeth cooperating with said rack teeth.

4. In a braiding machine of the character described comprising inner and outer rotatable tables each carrying a plurality of circumferentially-spaced spool adapted to carry strands of wire to be braided together at a braiding point above and substantially coaxial with said tables, and including means for rotating said tables in opposite directions, and means for guidin the strands from the spools on said outer table to said braiding point through zones both above and below the spools on said inner table; means for securing each of the spools on said inner table to said inner table and comprising a base having a plurality of opening therein disposed in circumferentially-spaced pairs with the openings of each pair radially-spaced from each other; pairs of bars each obliquely disposed to said base slidably fitted in said pairs of openings and supporting said base above and in spaced relation to said inner table; separate means cooperating with each of said pairs of bars for reciprocating them in and out of said openings to provide clearance between said base and said table for the passage of strands from the spools on said outer table therebetween; and means cooperatin with each of said reciprocating means for actuating the same to reciprocate the pairs of bars associated therewith in circumferential sequence in timed relation to the passage of said strands from the spools on said outer table under the spools on said inner table.

' 5. The structure set forth in claim 4 in which said bars are provided with rack teeth thereon and said reciprocating means comprise gears havin teeth cooperating with said rack teeth.

6. In a braiding machine of the character described comprisin inner and outer rotatable tables each carrying a plurality of circumferentially-spaced spools adapted to carry strands of wire to be braided together at a braiding point above and substantially coaxial with said tables, and includin means for rotating said tables in opposite directions, and means for guiding the strands from the spools on said outer table to said braiding point through zones both above and below the spools on said inner table; means for securing each of the spools on said inner table to said inner table and comprising a base having a plurality of openings therein disposed in circumferentially-spaced pairs with the openings of each pair radially-spaced from each other; a plurality of bars, disposed in circumferentially-spaced pairs with the bars in each pair diverging upwardly at a substantial angle to each other and at oblique angles to said base, slidably fitted in said pairs of openings and supporting said base abov and in spaced relation to said inner table; a rack on each of said bars, pinions cooperating with the racks on each of said pairs of bars; and separate means for oscillating, each pair of pinions independently of the other pairs'to withdraw said pairs of bars out of the-openings in said base and thereafter scram:

to reinsert them in said-openings in circumferential sequence and in timed relation to the passage of the strands from the spools on said outer table under the bases of the spool securin means on said inner table.

7. The structure set forth in claim 2 in which the axes of the spools on the inner table aredisposed in planes approximately radially disposed to the axis of rotation of said table, and said" machine is provided with means adapted to cooperate with the strands as they are drawn ofi said spools on the inner table for initially maintaining said strands substantially at right angles to said spools and thereafter guiding said strands directly to the braiding point.

8'. The structure set forth in. claim 4 in which the axes of the spools on the inner table are disposed in planes approximately radially disposed to the axis of rotation of said table, and said machine is provided with means adapted to cooperate with the strands as they are drawn off said spools on the inner table for initially maintaining said strands substantially at right angles to said spools and thereafter guiding said strands directly to the braiding point.

9. The structure set forth in claim 6 in which the axes of the spools on the inner table are disposed in planes approximately radially disposed to the axis of rotation of said table, and said machine is provided with means adapted to cooperate with the strands as they are drawn off said spools on the inner table for initially maintaining said strands substantially at right angles to said spools and thereafter guidin said strands directly to the braiding point.

10. In a braiding machine, the combination with a first spool carrier having a plurality of spool supports thereon; of circumferentiallyspaced, separately movable means cooperating with each support for securing it in vertically spaced relation to said carrier, each of said separately movable means, independently of the other, positively securing the support with which it cooperates to said carrier; a second spool carrier also having a plurality of spools supported there-on each adapted to carry a strand to be braided; means for guiding each of said last mentioned strands to a braiding zone, means for effecting relative rotating movements of said spool carriers, means for moving said guiding means between positions where they will guide said strands to said braiding zone through zones above and below the strands from the spools on said first carrier, and means for moving said spool support securing means on said first carrier to provide open spaces between said supports and said first carrier for the passage of strands from said second carrier when in zones below the strands from said first carrier.

11. In a braiding machine, the combination with a first rotatably mounted spool carrier having thereon a plurality of supports for spools adapted to carry strands to be braided, said supports being circumferentially-spaced in fixed, radially-disposed relation to the axis of rotation of said carrier; of a second spool carrier rotatably mounted coxaially with said first carrier and having mounted thereon a plurality of supports for spools adapted to carry strands to be braided with said first mentioned strands; circumferentially-spaced strand guides mounted on said second carrier for guiding the strands from the spools on said second carrier to a braiding zone and disposed in outwardly, radially-spaced relation to the spools on said first carrier; means for rotating said carriersin opposite directions about their common axis; means for oscillating said guides and the strands carried thereby between positions above and positions below the strands. carried by the spools-on sai'el first: carrier; at pl'u-- rality ofcircumferentially spaced, separately movableelements cooperating with each of the spool supports on said first carrier and securing said supports to said carrier in vertically-spaced relation thereto; and means for moving said olements in sequenceand in advance of the strands moving withsaid second carrier when said strands are below the strands moving with said first carrier to provide free passages for the strands moving with said second carrier beneaththe spool supports on said first carrier.

12. In a braiding machine the combination with a first and a second, coaxially-disposed, spool-carrying means adapted to carry spools having strands thereon to be braided together in a braiding zone above said means and adjacent the common axis thereof; of means for rotating said spool-carrying means in opposite directions about said axis; the strands from the spools on the first of said carrying means running directly therefrom to said braiding point; means on said second, spool-carrying means disposed in radially-outwardly-spaced relation to the spools on said first carrying means for guiding the strands from the spools on said second, spool-carrying means to said braiding zone; means for moving said last mentioned strands both over and under the strands from the spools on said first carrying means; circumferentially-spaced, movable gates below and on which the spools on said first carrying means are secured to said carrying means in vertically-spaced relation thereto; and means cooperating with said gates in timed relation with the movements of said strand guiding means for opening said gates in circumferential sequence to provide a free passageway therethrough for said guided strands below the strands running from the spools on said first carrying means.

13. In a braiding machine of the character described having an inner rotatable table provided with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, strand supplying means thereon from which the strands run to a braiding zone; means for supporting and securing said strand-supplying means to said inner table in vertically-spaced relation thereto and comprising a plurality of circumferentially-spaoed gates disposed between said table and each of said strand-supplying means, pivotal mountings for said gates about the axes of which said gates may open and close, means for rotating said table, and means actuated by the rotation thereof for opening and closing said gates in circumferential sequence to provide clear passageways between said strand-supplying means and said table for strands running from other strand-supplying means to said braiding zone to be braided with said first mentioned strands.

14. In a braiding machine, the combination with a first spool carrier having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced supports thereon adapted to carry spools bearing strands to be braided; of a second spool carrier having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced supports thereon adapted to carry spools bearing strands to be braided with the strands from the spools on said first carrier; meansfor rotating said carriers in opposite directions; means for guiding the strands from the second carrier to a braiding point through zones both above and below the supports on said first 

